Making your home safe for your baby is an important step in becoming a parent. Many homes contain hazards that are well within reach of babies and toddlers. When preparing your home for your baby, be sure to take a tally of each room - make a map if possible, and figure out where to move things to make each room safe for your child. We’ve compiled an article detailing the top baby safety tips you need to know, and how to modify your home to be the safest for children.

Address Your Outlets

The most common accidents for children under the age of 5 are injuries involving burns. It’s important to remember this when taking a look around your home. Make sure that every available outlet in your home has an outlet protector on it; keep extra outlet protectors available in case one is lost. If your family can afford it, invest in outlet covers that come equipped with a sliding latch. Be sure to cover any open electrical outlets on extension cords with electrical tape.

Electrical safety for children is important. As your child grows, you must babyproof things higher up. Knobs for stoves and low-placed appliances will have to be moved to higher areas or removed from the room completely.

Lock Away Hazardous Chemicals

Poisoning is another very common injury for children. 99% of households keep cleaning agents under the sink. For that reason, it’s important to invest in child proof cabinet locks. Use these locks for any cabinet that contains harmful items or items that can choke, cut, or burn your child. Even if you don’t think your child will drink something dangerous, they may open a container of something caustic, which blinds children. Salt is another potential poison. It takes just a tablespoon and a half to kill a 25 lb child. Keep all chemicals, cleaning agents, and cosmetic items in locked cabinets high up where children cannot reach them.

Secure Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are another danger area for children. Young ones can drown in as little as two inches of water, and it’s amazing how quickly they can get themselves in dangerous situations. Always keep a close eye on your children in the bathroom. Install a toilet seat lock to keep your child from opening up the toilet, and never leave a child unattended while bathing. Child electrical safety is another factor when babyproofing in the bathroom, as electrical appliances can be pulled or fall into the bathtub. Never use electrical items while a member of the family is in the bathtub or shower.

Prevent Head Injuries

Head injuries are one of the scariest things that can happen to a child. Even a small uneventful run-in or fall can cause a large bump to rise on the child’s head. Use foam bumpers to surround furniture with small edges, and never leave a child (especially an infant) unattended on a couch, bed, or counter. Always move items out of baby’s reach that can be grabbed or pulled down, such as books, picture frames, or knick knacks.

Reduce Strangulation Risks

Strangulation is another concern for parents. Items like necklaces, shoelaces, strings or blinds can also get wrapped around a child’s neck very easily. Always shorten blind cords, and keep an eye on children while they play with toys that have strings. Railings are also a potential for danger. Check railings on staircases to make sure that the gap is no wider than 3.5 inches. If the gap is larger than this, install acrylic sheeting or netting to prevent your child’s head from getting stuck between the rails.

Anchor Your Furniture

One of the more involved babyproofing projects is anchoring furniture to the wall. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 16,000 children under the age of 5 went to the emergency room in 2006 with injuries caused by television sets, bookcases, and other furniture tipping over on them. Between 2000 and 2006, more than 130 young children died from furniture tip-overs.

Anchoring furniture like TVs, bookshelves, and dressers is a must when babyproofing, as children will undoubtedly climb on furniture. Anchoring supplies are available at all hardware stores and baby stores. Securing furniture to walls is very simple, and takes just a few minutes.

Check Fire Alarms, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Your home should have a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector in every room - including the nursery. Do a double check to make sure they are in working order.

Make Fireplace Barriers

Fireplaces are beautiful to look at, but they can be extremely dangerous. Fireplace screens or guards are affordable ways to protect your child from wandering too close to the fireplace. Always leave the fireplace screen up until the fire is completely extinguished. Never burn anything other than wood in your fireplace, and leave the flu closed when not in use.

Get Help from Professionals

If all of this seems overwhelming, there are professional babyproofers available that can come to your home and inspect it, suggest furniture placement changes to maximize safety, and provide you with resources to help make your home the safest it can be.

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